Boeing, UAH officials creating initiative to allow business students to compete for $10,000

SEP 17, 2012

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Boeing Company is teaming with the College of Business Administration at The University of Alabama in Huntsville to give undergraduate students an opportunity to plan the launch of a new business.

Teams will compete for $10,000 in scholarships winnings that can be used for undergraduate or graduate study at UAH.

“The ability to transform product, service and technology ideas into viable business concepts is essential in today’s aerospace and defense marketplace,” said Daniel Olberding, Director of Engineering for The Boeing Company’s Huntsville Operation. “We are pleased with the innovative approach UAH is taking with this new program and look forward to a strong competition.”

The Boeing New Business Challenge is been launched with an official announcement to all students. Interested students will form teams, develop a new business concept, and present it at a poster session in November. Judges and mentors will critique the ideas, provide feedback, and extend invitations to teams for the second phase of competition in the spring. Student teams will continue to work on their business ideas with coaching and assistance from faculty and mentors. In April, students will compete for the scholarship winnings.

There are entrepreneurship classes and senior design courses taking place on campus during the fall and spring, but all undergraduate students are eligible to compete. Students outside of the business school may take a spring course titled Entrepreneurship for Non Business Majors and focus their project efforts on their new venture idea.

“This business plan competition will be great for our students,” said Caron St. John, Dean, College of Business Administration. “There is a lot of entrepreneurial energy on campus and students enjoy a competition.”

For more information,contact Ray Garner256.824.6397(256.UAH.NEWS)ray.garner@uah.edu